CBD suppositories reduce severity and frequency of period pain – study

A new study published in Nature Partner Journal: Women’s Health is the first to examine the impact of a ‘real-world’ commercially-available, high-CBD suppository on menstrual-related pain and discomfort.

The new findings build on previous research which suggests that cannabis-based products could have promising potential for alleviating this, and other menstrual-related symptoms.

Up to 91% of women suffer from menstrual pain/dysmenorrhea and up to 29% experience severe symptoms. However, to date there has been little progress or innovation when it comes to finding new treatment options.

In the quasi-experimental study, researchers from McLean Hospital, in Massachusetts in the US, followed 77 women using vaginal CBD suppositories and compared their experiences with 230 women using traditional methods like painkillers to treat their symptoms. 

READ MORE: Why cannabis could play a vital role in women’s health

Participants completed online self-report questionnaires at baseline and two monthly follow-ups where they were asked comprehensive questions about their menstrual cycle and cannabis/cannabinoid use (if any).

After analysis, results showed that the CBD group demonstrated ‘significantly reduced frequency and severity of menstrual-related symptoms’, as well as ‘impact of symptoms on daily functioning’ and the need for other analgesics, compared to those using traditional painkillers.

Participants also saw a potential ‘dose-dependent effect’, experiencing a greater reduction in symptoms with increased use. By the second follow-up, over 80% of participants reporting moderate to significant improvement in their symptoms.

“Findings suggest these suppositories alleviated a range of menstrual-related symptoms, improved daily functioning, and reduced use of analgesics,” the authors state.

“Increased suppository use was significantly associated with greater reduction of symptoms, suggesting a potential dose-dependent response.” 

The product used in the trial was a hemp-derived, broad-spectrum, high-CBD (100 mg) vaginal suppository.

There are a number of limitations to the research, particularly in relation to the trial design. As federal regulations in the US prevent commercially available products from being used in clinical trials, the study could not be randomised and investigators were not able to have any direct interaction with those taking part. Instead, participants were given the option to contact the manufacturer directly if they wished to use the suppository.

The researchers add that future studies should expand on these findings and examine the ‘pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, mechanism(s) of action, efficacy for other gynecological indications, and potential for adverse events (drug to drug interactions)’ in clinical trial models.